Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Oct 13 - 12:40 PM

So much for some of the eBay easy re-listing features - it means you don't see the auction text and can trip yourself up. I shifted an item from a higher price with free shipping to a lower price with shipping added - but didn't see the copy to remove the free shipping line in the ad. So I honored the item but basically just gave away the item. I looked at the item the person in Pakistan bought - there is no free shipping mentioned anywhere in there. I want to let them off the hook so I can relist - I sent a note, and then this morning I sent the invoice, so I hope to get a response later in the day when their side of the planet is in sunshine.

There has been a bug going through the office - I am wondering if I caught a whiff of it. Yesterday the gut was upset/decluttered and I seemed to be blowing my nose all evening. If I'd eaten anything this morning I think the upset would continue.

I've moved a couple of more pairs of pants to the "can now fit into" part of my closet. Good timing, I got rid of a pair I wear for work in the yard because they were falling off of me. I was down to one pair of jeans and they're in the laundry this morning. :)

It hasn't rained yet but the odds are greater this afternoon and evening that we'll get some. Another warm muggy day in Texas in the meantime. I have to harvest a lot of the garden and have invited my ex over to come pick cherry tomatoes, after which I need to cut up and freeze most of it. I also need to go fix Susie's router and modem. Consider this a short unordered list of things to work on today.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 13 Oct 13 - 09:20 AM

Just read this article in one of the local free weeklies and think it belongs here --
Dwelling In Possibility

Had trouble getting to sleep last night so it was probably around 1 a.m. when I last turned out the light. Then I woke up at 5:30 wide awake with a cat perched on my hip and "Strike the Bell" still in my head from a dream but being pushed out by the Makem Brothers' "It's Been a Very Hard Year" as I woke up. That was odd -- I usually have several songs segueing in my mind, but never one dream and one waking at almost the same moment.

Then I ended up having to eliminate not one, but two (count 'em) yellow jackets buzzing sequentially around my bedside lamp before 6 a.m.

Talked to Tom. He's now able to eat a very small breakfast which will probably have to hold him all day (except for small, spaced amounts of coffee). I've got a bunch of small things (and phone calls) before I head over there...including finding another book to keep in my purse since I finished my purse book yesterday while he was napping.

Right now I need to eat something (after I wash the pan and a few more things stacked in the sink); I'm famished.

Linn

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Oct 13 - 12:44 AM

One of my eBay boxes was purchased by a brand-new eBay member (feedback score of "0") in Pakistan. To send that $12 tea maker would cost something over $50. I don't think they researched the shipping when they saw the auction price, so I've sent a note asking if they realized the high cost of shipping (it's posted on the auction). If they don't want it we can cancel the auction before it counts against them.

I finished some shopping and have the dishes ready to start in the dishwasher. I spent some time in the garden and tomorrow will cut up a bunch of peppers to freeze. I policed the back yard and dumped the compost bucket and the dog droppings into the compost pile (the dog droppings are what keep the dogs out of the food in the compost). It was miserably muggy all day; we didn't get any rain, but there is a 50% chance tomorrow. Fingers crossed!

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: wysiwyg
Date: 12 Oct 13 - 03:45 PM

Two more hours cleaning/pricing.

There are two boxes of finicky little items left to clean and price, and 2 kitchen chairs to bring downstairs and price. About another 2-3 hour stint for tomorrow, I hope.

The trailer that will carry all this priced stuff out back for me is in position, ready to load. So far each box or barrel is well-sorted stuff which should be simple enough to lay out on Sale Day.

So far I have only taken back 3 hand-tatted doilies-- framed, they will be good reminders in our retirement, of those wonderful women in this wonderful community-- and a box of fabric scraps I now want to insert into a memory album and I have an empty one upstairs to use as a winter scissors project. There is also a brand-new kingsize quilt I may allocate to the camper, if it doesn't sell... at the time I allocated it to the sale we HAD a good camper quilt, but now we don't and the colors are perfect.

~S~

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 12 Oct 13 - 03:04 PM

Sounds not only efficient for both of you but therapeutic as well!

I made blueberry muffins this morning and Susie walked down for tea and muffins. Her new dogs spent a good night, they walked this morning and they're very good on the leash, didn't tug at all, just walked sedately beside her. This is exactly what Susie needs, well-behaved mellow big dogs. I've been working on a journal entry to examine this transfer - it took care of two women's deep-seated needs. One desired good homes for her pets after her death, the other needed dogs that would let her home feel complete after her own brush with mortality and dealing with the setback of a brain injury. After her injury it is like Susie had a stroke, a bit weak on the left side, and now she has dogs that won't overwhelm her physically yet are the size that she prefers.

I handed an eBay box to the mail carrier this morning, two more will be mailed early in the week when those auctions end. I'll go do some shopping, including turning in a glass order for a piece to top that buffet I've been working on. I need to get some knobs or handles for it also, but that can wait a bit. There is a hardware store in Dallas that I've been told will have just what I need.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: LilyFestre
Date: 12 Oct 13 - 03:01 PM

(((((((Maggie))))))))) Saying goodbye is always so hard. What I think is wonderful is that you let her know her dog would be in a good home, loved and cared for....what a gift that was!!! So very thoughtful.

XOXOXOOX

Michelle

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 12 Oct 13 - 01:52 PM

Flu injection this morning a half hour late as I lost my appointment card (not really a card just tiny slip of paper). It probably got tossed out with wodge of snot filled tissues I cleaned out my hand bag. Ironic going to get flu shot while I am recuperating from flu.

Got chatted up by 2 old fellas. One while waiting at bus stop to go to surgery to get my flu jab. The next when I left the surgery and ran into colleague and her American bull mastiff (Soldier) on the corner outside surgery. He was chatting her up first then followed me to road crossing chatting to me about having been in the army and knowing American soldiers. His native area Yorkshire. And where the devil was is wife who was out walking their dog?   Old fella number one chewed my ear off about where his ancestors were orginally from, Rochester Kent. Funny thing when Chris and I finally get ready to move, it is a toss up between Kent and Yorkshire. Talking to these 2 old dudes did not get me any nearer to making a decision about which way to move.

Work done today -
Bathroom is sparkling except tub. Will tackle that tomorrow.

Deep dusted and vaccummed everything in the lounge/diner except Chris' computer / office corner which is no go area for me. There are student papers spread all over.

Used one vacuum to thoroughly clean the filter in the other vaccuum.

Feeling accomplished but tired.

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: wysiwyg
Date: 12 Oct 13 - 11:26 AM

I spent almost 3 hours ydy, cleaning/pricing yard sale items with Jesus, dog, and radio. Three packed trash barrels-ful done and 2 large plastic bins of fabrics eyeballed (YAY, no mice evidence).

To my surprise, I am liking the work involved in following the advice to sticker-price ALL the items (not to just set out tables with table-pricing; it gave me a chance to clean and spruce up items as I prayerfully envisioned: how their eventual recipients may use them, what their lives are like, where each item came from, saying goodbye to some of the reasons for having them, looking forward to new spaces....

I do not even care if I don't make a dime-- it all goes to FreeCycle and Goodwill if it doesn't sell-- because I really enjoyed the fresh air and being able to do the work without any helping hands (human ones). And I am so glad I postponed it a week to take this time and care, and to be on the planet to enjoy being actually able to do a job within my compass.

~S~

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Oct 13 - 11:23 PM

Got the laptop up and running after the battery ran down. I looked for some tips online since these Win8 systems start so fast you don't have time to press F8 to get to the BIOS or system restore. It ended up being remarkably easy. Whew!

The dogs have been delivered to their new house. Susie's King Charles Spaniel is thrilled with these two - she has been so lonely as the only dog. The two big ones are just fine with her.

I'm glad you didn't trip over the box, Linn. Sorry you couldn't move it easily - it did weigh an even 25 lbs. Thank goodness for media mail!

And thank goodness for the weekend!

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 11 Oct 13 - 10:08 PM

Thank you, Stilly! The package came today. It's still sitting on the deck as I couldn't manage it with one hand while getting into the house. I'll bring it in tomorrow morning in daylight so I can keep Rufus from escaping to investigate "outside".

I need to go to bed now (after doing a quick Facebook check). Long day spent mostly at the hospital reading to Tom. Went to the Press Room session, left at 7:30 and went back to Dover on my way home. (Portsmouth - Dover - Nottingham is a big triangle.)

Thanks again, Maggie -- I can't wait to open the box and see those wonderful binders! (It's pathetic how excited I get over binders and page protectors and different kinds of paper and stuff like that.)

Linn

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Oct 13 - 06:08 PM

Heading out to pick up Susie then go get the dogs. Challenging evening ahead! As of this morning my co-worker in hospice is no longer having visitors and there is a bedside vigil underway. A friend of hers will be at the house to make the dog arrangements.

While I was at the hospice yesterday she was aware, was fluttering her eyes and moving her hand - I told her about Susie adopting the dogs, and that they were going to a home where they would be welcome and loved as family. I hope she understood.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Oct 13 - 12:40 PM

Online research says that I may need to remove the battery to try to restart it in safe mode, or perhaps letting it run down completely will accomplish the same thing. I've printed out a stack of tips to read through and consider.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 11 Oct 13 - 09:48 AM

I see that Linn's box is out for delivery. I'm sure it will be left if you're not home, so don't trip on it!

I think I closed the laptop when there was an update from Windows waiting to install. It won't turn on now. Must contact Sony. Ugg. If they have to change the hard drive I'm up a creek - I have a lot of single-installation software in there.

It's a grim Friday. No news of my co-workers, but there is no good news coming.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 Oct 13 - 11:47 PM

What a day. I spent my time going through photo archives looking for images of the hospitalized husband of a library co-worker. He's a physics professor who spoke in the library during a lecture series two years ago. I had photos of him that I shot in order to make a promotional poster, and I had shots of the event itself. Yesterday he had extremely low blood pressure and was rushed to the hospital; it was determined that a stent put in a couple of months ago after a heart attack was somehow blocked and for a 30 minute period he didn't get blood to the brain. He is now on life support until his wife tells them to remove it. He really liked the photo I used for his poster, and I'd given him a copy that he used on his faculty profile. I had to dig into the files for InDesign to find that - I had email from the Dean that this was his favorite photo and it was the one they wanted for his obituary. My co-worker had gone home to shower so I gave a disk of the entire set to a family friend at the hospital.

I also dug out a photo of a man who retired in 2008 and moved to Minnesota last year to be near his family. We learned this morning that he died late last week. And I'm going to crop a couple of photos of my other co-worker who is in hospice and is remarkably still alive, though she is only responsive with blinking eyes and twitching her hands. She is aware. She is skeletal. I saw her today and then, in the same hospital, went up to see the professor's wife. The whole week is tied up with these sad matters - tomorrow Susie and I will pick up the two dogs and bring them over here.

They're going to have grief counselors in the library tomorrow; I think that is a very good move. I think I'll go talk to one of them. All of this on top of the reorganization that wrenched us in all directions.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 10 Oct 13 - 09:05 PM

I actually felt sick and tired of just reading novels today - but did not quite muster enough energy to get the sewing machine out of the storage area and set it up and do something useful. Largely because it meant putting on the respirator to sort things out AND opening the door to go in and out a couple times would mean more pollution getting into living space.

I did go out and get a ladder, the stapler and newspaper to cover the last hole in the ceiling. That seemed to be my limit of wearing the respirator and going in and out - for fear of letting too much pollution into living space. That is actually an irrational fear as the air cleaner is designed for a much larger space and can easily do the job-- I am telling myself so I can do more tomorrow. Goal: remove winter clothes from storage to cupboards in living space. Sewing machine, too.

I did manage to wash my hair under the hose when it warmed up. That felt good. And walked up to the field and talked to the "nursery guy" for a while. He now has hundreds of trees in pots and concern for protecting them in the cold weather. He also pointed out an area he has cleared where I can plant some of the perennials.

The sawdust emanating from the studio on the prevailing breeze precluded sitting outside today. Having ascertained the toxicity of inhaled sawdust last night, I am in a state of extreme caution. Five months of feeling lousy and coughing way too much and worse the last couple weeks has made me very fed up, scared, frustrated, and angry. After B left tonight, I opened the door and window in the studio in hopes of airing it out so I can get some work done tomorrow before he starts again - usually about noon. Maybe I can find the exhaust fan, too.

I tried to go to the writers' group. They are very accepting about my wearing the respirator but I was having trouble breathing with it on and had to leave and come back home. I seem to have some upper respiratory involvement today; clogged nasal passages make it harder to breathe.      

Thinking of Linn. How fortunate Tom is to have her.

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 10 Oct 13 - 08:12 PM

On the way to the hospital this afternoon, I stopped at a yardsale that turned out to be free. Got three pairs of brand new (though they had been stored in less than optimal conditions by a woman I suspect is a hoarder) black leather winter gloves.

Did all the stuff this morning (and talked to Tom twice) that I didn't get done yesterday. Just got home from the hospital a few minutes ago. And I'm in a bit of a state. I think I'm more worried about Tom than even during his heart surgery back in 2004.

He still feels fine. He'd like to come home. But the doctor hasn't a clue what's causing his BP fluctuation.

Gotta go shower and wash my hair. Then heat up some boiled dinner since it's been a long time since I've eaten.

Linn

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 Oct 13 - 12:36 PM

I've loved it when there were weekends when everyone seemed to have the same idea - it makes shopping a real treat to move from block to block with several sales in each, and it fills a lot of my household gaps with things other people need to get rid of. But our town has never done a promotion for something like that formally.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: LilyFestre
Date: 10 Oct 13 - 08:10 AM

Town wide yard sale on the 19th...I'm working to pull things together for the sale...there are a bunch of us doing a LARGE gathering...should be FUN!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: wysiwyg
Date: 10 Oct 13 - 07:37 AM

I decided to postpone the yard sale 1 week. My helper made me a better offer a d since this was a non-advertised thingie, no harm no foul. Also gives me more time to pull items I want to purge!

~Susan

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Oct 13 - 10:32 PM

Linn, go to bed with a good book but get a full night's sleep. Take care of yourself while you're taking care of Tom.

I hunted around and found a small paint brush (one that the kids would have used with their paints) to finish around the hinges on the cabinet I've been working on. I'll also repaint the top and take the measurements to get a piece of glass to put on top. Without glass the paint will always be marked up.

I took the cover off of one of the two lights of a halogen fixture on the porch - the one that was aimed at the garage was burned out, I thought, but it doesn't come back on with a replacement bulb. The other one points down the driveway, but I prefer having a light pointed at the garage so I've shifted it. These don't last more than a few years.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 09 Oct 13 - 08:57 PM

Well, Tom had an appointment at the wound clinic at 12:30, but we ended up spending the afternoon and evening in the ER. All the info is in the new Curmudgeon thread I just started.

Sigh.

Just finished eating something (salad and two ham sandwiches) since I hadn't had anything since breakfast. Had planned on some R&R tonight -- going to see a friend performing at The Press Room. I'm going to give it a miss despite probably needing it more than ever.

Got to go post this at Facebook...

Linn

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 09 Oct 13 - 08:27 PM

Some steady progress in a roller coaster sort of way. Periods of coughing incessantly in spite of vit C as a "cough drop" - lots of it! Sun and Mon pretty good, and yesterday I managed to get some things done - laundry washed, hung, dried and folded. Trip to cop shop for fingerprints for citizenship app. Visit to library, with respirator, to get another book. We can only take out one "NEW" book at a time so I finished the exc Tracy Chevalier and returned it so I could take out another - Warshawski this time. Not near the quality of TC but OK. Also to fabric store to look for curtain fabric for the window wall. I was hoping Joe could get me a bunch of the white crinkly cotton but he says not. May have to go to the city stores. Arghhh! or on line?

My wrist is healing very well. Bruno is working on the studio which is going to be quite different. The inner wall, delineating it from whatever use will be next door, is entirely shelves. Twelve feet of 4x8 plywood sheets, boxed with 2x10s with shelves from bottom to top, about 12 inches apart. Two small windows-that-open on west wall; an "L" for kiln, glaze-mixing area will have exhaust fan and 16 feet of shelf walls. Then insulation and something on the west wall; windows and patio door on south wall - where someday I hope to have a deck so I can roll the wheel out there on warm days. The east wall already has door and two big windows-that-do-not-open. At least we can look out at the sky while potting.

Caught up on the dishes today and picked up local newspaper at a friend's. Airing out drawers of chest of d bought at last months auction. Very perfumey smelly. They are almost clear. It will be nice to have clothes in drawers rather than on a book case in the cold, damp storage area. Bedding is now stored in a plastic bin in sunroom, rather than the cold....

I opted to have the studio completed before the kitchen. I have orders to make and lots of pots needing to be trimmed and dried for firing. But just having one "pantry" cupboard in the K where I can put dishes and other stuff is wonderful.

Looking to have some energy to figure out a place to plant the perennials that are still in pots, just to get them through the winter as the place we want them is no where near ready.

The "Incinolet" is going to be installed before too long, close outside the sunroom in the storage area. At least it is out of the box and in a designated space. That will be wonderful! It is getting to be not only a long walk but an increasingly cold one to the distant toilet.

Weather is holding - since the incredible wind storm and rain on Monday! Beautiful sunny days, close to 70 during the day. I could live with this all year round. Where ?

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: wysiwyg
Date: 09 Oct 13 - 06:59 PM

When we moved here we found out why every pastor's home needs to have some emergency baby stuff on hand. I allocated one large kitchen-type cabinet for stuff, and it was outta sight/outta mind when not needed, plus an oversized portacrib upstairs in the guestroom closet and a huge dresser drawer that can sleep beside our bed.

But I'm downsizing and declutting. So half of that cabinet's worth went in the yardsale bin today-- I kept the books, a floorplay quilt, and one of those baby recliner thingies (a fabric-covered frame to lay a little one in). Because NOW there is also a 24-hr Wally World 10 minutes away and I do know how to diaper a baby in cloth!

~Susan

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: mg
Date: 09 Oct 13 - 05:28 PM

Could Tom be in charge of screening phone calls and getting rid of junk calls?

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: SINSULL
Date: 09 Oct 13 - 01:37 PM

Just had my biannual health screening at work. The gout diet paid off with a 48 point drop in my triglycerides. Sugars are good too. Weight is down.

I am not going to pretend that I don't miss steak and even seafood but every time I have even a bit, I end up with a huge red toe. Not worth it.

And the house is getting decluttered a bit at a time. Down to four bins in the sun room from wall to wall clutter.

Now that the getaway crowd is off to other places, life is settling back to normal. Nice.

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Oct 13 - 12:39 PM

Hump day. Humps of stuff sitting around the office needing attention - I have to get this out of the way so my floor space because I think there might be an extra very large dog here for a while. No point in having papers for all of them to slip on or lie on.

I made a resolution today that I'll spell out more later. Sometimes even though you make a decision you have to see how well it fits and how you adjust before you promote it.

Lovely fall weather and I'll take the dogs out for a walk at lunch. I need to work on the dog stall in the garage, make it longer and a bit wider. I've figured out how, but I need to move things that are up next to it in order to enlarge it. A job for the weekend coming up.

Linn's box is in transit - I saw yesterday that it left Dallas. It's probably on a truck to Chicago or New York or someplace - USPS employees won't be posting their photos with this box like Flat Stanley, but at least they send an email note every so often to say it's on the way.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 09 Oct 13 - 09:15 AM

Actually it IS a "stew" of sorts, but with more or less clear juice rather than brown gravy. And big on root vegetables like turnips (rutabegas), carrots and potatoes.

Yesterday was a more or less lost day. I had no energy, felt so heavy I could barely move my arms or legs.

Got what HAD to be done, done -- trash out for pickup, Tom's compression stocking on, him fed and caffeinated.

Then I went upstairs and tried to nap, but was awakened twice by the phone (should have turned the ringer off), once to move up Tom's wound center appointment today by half an hour and the other trying to sell me a new credit card. (THAT one was extremely annoying -- we're on the no-call list, but we get that one or the other robo-call trying to sell us "security" at least every other day -- usually when it interrupts something on the far side of the room.)

About the only thing I really accomplished was finishing a book.

Linn

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Oct 13 - 12:30 AM

I make stew fairly often, but with beef. I've made corned beef. I don't think it's a stretch to get to the recipe described above, but I never had it in my neck of the woods (Western Washington or North Texas).

My braised beef short ribs were wonderful. I cooked those with onion, carrot, potato, and a bag of frozen tomatoes. Mmmmmm!

This was my late day at work, starting with a rather grim staff meeting where management is still trying to convince a very unhappy staff that this reorganization was meant all for the best.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: LilyFestre
Date: 08 Oct 13 - 10:04 PM

Boiled Dinner? YUM! I married a New Englander....we have boiled dinner often in the winter!

Today I spent time with a good friend from long ago, held/played with/snuggled with twin infants (3 months old), had a productive doctor visit, quiet alone time to take photos on this absolutely stunning fall morning, a few minutes to study before a class, dinner with Jeremiah and my mom and then a great class.

Today was definitely a day well lived!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 08 Oct 13 - 05:45 PM

"New England" boiled dinner, Stilly, though I grew up with it in the Midwaste, I mean, Midwest (Milwaukee) in the '50s -- a autumn and winter staple in my mom's kitchen. (And straight out of Betty Crocker.)

It's often made with brisket, but I grew up with the cheaper type of bone-in hams. I discovered some years ago that the PERFECT meat is smoked beef tongue, but I can't smoke one at home, and they're no longer readily available in grocery stores. Yesterday's was made with a small piece of ham and some sweet Italian sausage for Tom. The rest is a profusion of vegetables -- potatoes, rutabegas (or turnip), celery, lots of onions, carrots and cabbage. Cover with water and boil til done. (Meat first, of course, then add the veggies, cabbage last.)

I like to drink the liquid either warm or cold and I put a zip-loc of 2 cups (no cabbage juice, though) in the freezer yesterday.

I like it better than a beef stew. Tom's less enthusiastic about it but he'll put up with it occasionally. He won't eat it as boiled dinner, though, more than twice max, maybe only once. But he showed me about 25 years ago how to make a hash out of the meat and veg solids, then fry it up in for something not so completely different.

Linn

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 Oct 13 - 12:20 PM

Okay, I'll bite. What is a "boiled dinner?" It brings to mind something a friend used to eat a lot, made by a German woman who was her home care service person - boiled cabbage and potatoes?

Going for a walk with the dogs in a few minutes, trying to keep up the exercise for all of us.

I've tried a couple of new shampoos lately, one seems to have made my hands break out. I don't think I have any foods that cause the reaction, so I'll cut out the new shampoos and try them one at a time. The mistake was trying both very close together, I can't tell which is the culprit.

I had to run by the eye doctor's last night to pickup up contacts ordered by Moonglow. Next door is a Ross store, and though they don't always have great selection, I found one pair of slacks that I'll use to create a couple of outfits for fall. They were supposedly originally $58 and I got them for $7; whatever, I won't feel bad about setting them aside if I continue to lose the weight and they become too large. That is my goal, but I've been on a plateau for a while, hence the push for more exercise. With the cooler weather exercise is a pleasure, not a sweatbath.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: wysiwyg
Date: 08 Oct 13 - 08:24 AM

Linn, cooked potatoes don't freeze well.... texture issues. We don't. Easy enuf to nuke one at mealtime and squash it to absorb juices.

~S~

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 08 Oct 13 - 05:35 AM

Linn as the weather turns cooler, that boiled dinner idea appeals more and more to me. However, my vegetarian husband is not keen on "boiled" veg.

I tend to cook up a collection of root veg with sweet onion, cabbage, celery and peas. Then separate into halves. Half to go with a jar of balti sauce, rice pilaf, naan, for a curry. The other half chicken veg soup for my lunches part of which will be frozen.

I am loving the description of wildlife. I have view of a part dead leylandii with the occasional ring necked dove, wood pigeon perching or random cat climbing through from the fence beneath.

If I manage to keep my job, we will be staying in first floor flat. I am thinking that I should make kitchen and lounge picture windows (which are east facing and quite deep) into mini greenhouse gardens. Herbs in kitchen, ornamental / edible plants in lounge.   

Can't do anything about pets. Chris doesn't like dogs, thinks it is cruel to keep cats indoors, has views about caged birds and aquariums as unnatural and cruel. Sigh. Maybe he will be up for foster caring for cats. I need animals in my life.

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 07 Oct 13 - 07:36 PM

I woke up this morning at 4:30 and gave up on trying to get back to sleep. Read instead until I grabbed a pile of 5x7 photographs that a friend had taken at the 2005 PMFF and sorted (found duplicates to give to the appropriate people), trimmed, and started paging them for The Archives.

I figured I'd fade sometime today but it never happened (unless it's happening right now at 7:20pm...).

After I washed and dried my hair (and worked some more on the photographs and consolidating piles of paper and trying to make some sense out of the yet unfiled stuff) I headed off to the credit union to pay the mortgage and then do some grocery shopping. Brought everything into the house including the wine I bought on Saturday.

Spent a little time at the computer then started cooking. I'd bought what I needed to do a boiled dinner and a meatloaf. Wasn't sure which I'd have tonight, but figured if nothing else, boiled dinner always improves each time it's heated up. So we had the meatloaf tonight. I made mushroom gravy but then decided, instead of making the little new potatoes (boil them, then squash each one and sauté in butter), that I'd mash up some of the boiled dinner veggies and have that with gravy over everything. Tom loved it. And it's enough different (and no cabbage in it yet) that the same vegetables in the boiled dinner tomorrow will be "new".

The other consideration is that it's impossible to make a small boiled dinner for two unless you eat it forever -- which Tom won't go for. When it cools off a bit, I'll freeze 2 cups of the veggie stock tonight. And the next time I make the boiled dinner for supper (Friday, maybe, after the session, or Saturday) I'll turn it into hash and fry it. Tom taught me that years ago. And anything left I'll freeze; it should freeze okay, shouldn't it? Or I'll freeze it as hash.

I need a bigger fridge. I definitely need a bigger freezer!

I didn't buy a rutabega for the boiled dinner -- I had several types of turnips from my CSA share. The little white ones are sooooo nice. Ate one raw while I was cooking.

Gotta go dish up some ice cream for dessert -- with a friend's frozen blackberries that I just thawed. (One more thing OUT of the freezer!)

Oh, those of you on my Facebook feed heard about my wildlife adventures today. First when I was coming home from the store, a young (12-14" shell) snapping turtle had nearly finished crossing the road (I wasn't going to help him) and then two wild turkeys dashed across the road heading in the same direction. (Big Foot probably behind them.) Later at home when I went to take out the kitchen compost, I startled about 21+ turkeys ambling past the deck on their way out to the woods. I love living here!

Linn

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 07 Oct 13 - 11:49 AM

Maggie - I hope Zeke feels better soon and you find the culprit before it strikes again.

Michelle - You should google images of AllSaints Spitalfields. Old glass shop front stacked with shelves and shevles of old sewing machines.

Well I did not make the start on spare room. Utterly wiped out from trip to GP surgery and hospital and the waiting for buses. Even a little exertion starts me coughing like crazy.

I may make a try tonight because we really need to get to stuff to sort out our masqued ball costumes and masques (yet to be made). I also need to make a holster for Chris to carry the brass opium pipe .

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Oct 13 - 11:34 AM

Michelle, I don't think there is a way to hide that targeted cash from other appliances, I know that feeling well, you're all set to make an important purchase and the truck needs tires or the water pump dies, or the dryer dies.

My daughter has a Singer series 15 that she got when she was a teen, and before her it had basically gone unused for decades. My neighbor gave it to me when I noticed it in her front hall. It was destined for a garage sale, but I'd helped her move and assemble some furniture. I had it oiled and new cords put on and it's a workhorse. It's an early rotary machine, no belt. She was given this as a wedding gift but had never learned to sew!

I have an old original White, one my cousin used for years before giving it to me. The probably dates from the 1940s or 50s and is all iron - it weighs a ton. I loved getting this because I didn't have one at the time, my mother, sister and I used a machine at home in Washington and I was living in NYC. I sewed tons of stuff on that, and finally got a "modern" machine with cams later. It isn't a great machine, but it works.

Off to the post office.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: LilyFestre
Date: 07 Oct 13 - 10:04 AM

I have no idea what kind of paint is on the sewing machine cabinet. :/ It looks like someone tried to make it an off white...kinda glossy. ICK.

Maggie, I have 4 sewing machines and will be adding one more to the collection before New Year's if all goes well.   I have a 1953 Singer Featherweight which is what I am currently sewing with (and have been for about a year now), an undated Kenmore...will hunt down the serial number on that machine later today which was purchased at a yard sale for $20.00 and have yet to plug in but all her moving parts work smoothly and the bobbin case is in good working order (and there...many times that crucial piece is missing and you will pay a minimum of $80.00 for an original casing). I know a little of her history and don't really anticipate having many problems other than adding some fresh oil, greasing her gears and giving her a good polish. :) The machine I got yesterday was a gift from Pete and is a 1946 Singer 201, affectionately called "The Workhorse" in the sewing world. She's essentially a Featherweight on steroids. I also have a treadle machine that belonged to my great grandmother. I have not had it out of the cabinetry in many, many years. I imagine I'll be giving her a good once over with oil, grease and polish too at some point. Oh...I do have one other machine. It's a Singer that was given to me by my mom in 1993, purchased at Ames (pre-Walmart store). It's a basic machine that no longer runs. I've had it *fixed* but it still isn't right. My mom got it for me because I was hand sewing curtains for our apartment and I think she felt sorry for me.

As for the last machine that I will be purchasing, that is going to be a Brother Simplicity SB3129. Why another machine? All the antique machines are beautiful and they do run however none of those machines are built to have the feed dogs dropped for quilting (I CAN stitch in the ditch with them or tie quilts but...) This will be a new, up to date machine that I will use for quilting small quilt tops, runners and bags. It runs around $500.00 plus a few attachments. I've done a lot of research to find a machine that will fit my budget and this one looks PERFECT! I had the cash for the machine, finally made the decision as to which machine I wanted and BAM....car died with a bill of $890.00. The sewing machine will just have to wait. It seems that things work out that way quite often. No matter, in the meantime, I have one excellent working machine, two that will need a little elbow grease and a lot of fabric to play with! I'm a happy girl!

We are under a severe storm warning and tornado watch so I hopped in the shower after taking Jeremiah to school, have the laundry going and am now off to do the dishes and some vacuuming before the lightening begins or we lose power. I see that the rain has JUST started. It has been really windy here since last night (a welcome relief from the ICKY HUMIDITY we had yesterday).

Are any of you sewing out there?

Much Love to All!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Oct 13 - 09:57 AM

I've used a paint stripper here (it is a very thick liquid, kind of like rubber cement) but it stinks, must be done in the open, and when you scrape it off you have a sticky goo to keep track of. Something like "Jasco" - I'm sure there are products in your local hardware store. That stuff that VT describes sounds nicer. I remember seeing an ad for something like that years ago, but could never find it. It involved a layer of paper, I think.

Lovely cool morning. Didn't sleep well, I think Zeke had an upset tummy from something he ate in the yard. He was drooling and licking a lot, I finally gave him a benedryl after he'd had me up the fourth time in the middle of the night. I'll police the grounds, see what might be back there. This happened to Cinnamon one time when I think she got a sprig of a datura (jimson weed) that was coming up in some dirt that was transplanted from the front yard to the back. I never toss those plants in the compost, I trash them and try to keep the dogs away from them.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 07 Oct 13 - 04:53 AM

Michelle that sewing machine sounds like gorgeous. Do you know what kind of paint is on that cabinet? In the UK there is this stuff called polycell which you paste on like cake icing, allow to dry about 6 hours and then scrape it away and the old paint falls off with it. Plan to use this on the decades of layers of gloss paint on our door frames and skirting, before we replace the doors.

Will take about a week we think, so will do in summer and stay in our caravan nights at nearby campsite.

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 07 Oct 13 - 04:00 AM

ugghhh... Paying for the weekend's activities. Lots of pain in hands and feet. Must go to hospital and get bloods done today before RA consultant appointment tomorrow. I have been too ill and the virus in my body would have queered the results. May still, but has to be done.

When I get back I tackle the spare room AKA the Bermuda Triangle. I hope I find a dirigible in there that I can steampunk. :) Got to find my saloon girl dress and see if I can fit into it or make it fit around me for the Bat Conservation masqued ball I will be attending on 19 October. TheSilentOne is going as riverboat gambler.

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 Oct 13 - 01:06 AM

Linn, I'm sending you 25 pounds of binders that should take care of quite a few of the remaining years.

Michelle, how many sewing machines do you have now? (I have two.) I've been tempted to buy others at estate sales, but I don't have room. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 06 Oct 13 - 05:25 PM

Rufus has interspersed his late night and today's activities with pulling flowers out of the vase and dropping them on the floor. (I told him I don't mess with HIS flowers!)

Got 2 bundles of the driveway stakes (plow guides) around the interior of the turnaround...in the rain. (Not heavy; just a steady drip.) Think I'll go back and get another 2-3 bundles and a couple more of the reflector-topped stakes (for then end of the driveway -- my plow guy would LOVE to push snow back into my flower beds).

Laundry just finished and I should put it in the dryer...(gotta think about that; do I want to fold everything and put it away tonight? Nah.)

And, most importantly, I FINISHED putting all of Tom's freelance articles into page protectors. AND I got all of 1994 in a binder in order. AND I indexed them... Now all I have to do is type the index so I can print a couple copies and then -- not tonight! -- pull out all the 2nd copies (making photocopies of a few that don't have dupes) into The Archives. Still, of course, have 1995-1999 to go, but this is one small part of my archival/organizational project more or less completed. Whew. I feel accomplished!

Leftover fried rice for supper tonight. Tom's not excited about it, but, hey, it needs to be eaten up (and it's a really quick fix).

It's been a good day! (Never bothered to put my contacts in.)

Linn

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: LilyFestre
Date: 06 Oct 13 - 05:03 PM

Hey VT...wanna come tackle our bedroom? Since we spend so little time in there, it is the last room on my list to spend time on. I NEED to spend at least a day in there to sort out clothes that need to go, some that need to be tucked away until later, etc.

I helped with firewood today. Whew. It's a HOT day for that! Today was pretty awesome though...Pete got me a new (old) sewing machine...a Singer 201...a work horse that I can't wait to tinker with. It came with a cabinet too that I want to strip down. Any good recommendations on paint removers that work the best?

The machine itself is GORGEOUS and has been well loved. It clearly has been oiled and greased not so long ago and the scroll work on the face plate is divine! She was born in 1946. :) Most importantly, the bobbin casing is in place and she purrs that lovely little tick that older Singers do...perfection! I can't wait to try her out!

All my sewing machines have names. For this machine, I'm liking Annie but won't know for sure until I spend some more time with her.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Oct 13 - 01:56 PM

Sounds like a great start, Tam, and you're miles ahead of some of us. Ironing curtains - that is ambitious!

Secret Santa 2013 has been launched. If you have things you want to declutter that are good and interesting and small enough to ship you might want to participate and pass said items along to an appreciative Santee. Just a thought (we need more players, it has gotten a bit slim the last couple of years).

Out to mow the front now that the rain from last night has mostly soaked in. And I can consider putting out the watering system that I purchased last spring and didn't do anything with because of the drip at that faucet. It's a brass 4-spigot fitting with a timer so that different zones can be watered as needed, all from the tap on the house via hoses and not trenching to put in a PVC watering system. I still have a couple of new hoses to put into play also. I could also decide this is too fussy and take it back to Home Depot.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 06 Oct 13 - 01:38 PM

Thank you all for welcoming me back. I am inspired by and a tad envious of you all.

Master bedroom is completely clean (including the mold and inch think dust) and somewhat decluttered. I hope I breath easier tonight but all the work andstirring up dust has got me coughing really hard again. :\

Broken shelf in bookcase fixed. New curtains ironed and hung. Freshly washed and ironed linens on bed. Can't wait to crawl in after shower.

I even made dinner this evening. Enchiladas.

I may tackle some ironing this evening too.

Feeling accomplished.

Subject: Camera Bag as Purse
From: wysiwyg
Date: 06 Oct 13 - 12:42 PM

I'm decluttering my main purse. It holds too much and will not multitask as much as I need it to, so.... sniff..... Bye! (Becomes scooter cargo bag.)

Hardi had a plain, black camera bag with us one day that was a HUGE help to me, so I asked for one to replace my purse. I can always accessorize it to girlie it up; for fall I simply hung a very bright fall-patterned scarf on it, and inside there's room for tech gear I use to record things, unmentionables, Kindle, and a meal.

~S~

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 06 Oct 13 - 10:07 AM

This weekend sounds great so far! We had rain last night and it's supposed to warm up to the low 80s this afternoon so I see gardening in part of the day. Laundry washed early this morning and is now drying.

We're finally to sweater and long-sleeve weather, and I got out my thermal blanket for the bed last night.

Last night I started going through the book with all of the passwords for accounts set up over the years. Some of those accounts need to go away, they never get used. The remarks are spread out in too many places. Same with some of the old email accounts. That's a big job.

SRS

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: LilyFestre
Date: 06 Oct 13 - 10:01 AM

is happy to see VT! :)

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: LilyFestre
Date: 06 Oct 13 - 10:00 AM

Oh thank goodness for empty days!!!!

Laundry is already going here and some other things lined up. Tomorrow looks to be a bit more quiet and then the week is off to the races!

Michelle

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves Decluttered Spaces 2013
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 06 Oct 13 - 09:43 AM

Wow! A day where we don't have to go anywhere, no one is coming here, and there is NOTHING that is imperative to be done today!

Tom is up and I guided him to the table and got his coffee, the dishes are running through (and all the hand washing done), and I read a book before I came downstairs.

I have a list of things it would be nice to accomplish today, but I won't fret if I don't get anything else done and maybe just watch "The Lion In Winter" or "The Name of the Rose" which I scored at Goodwill a few weeks ago.

Yesterday I went to the Portsmouth farmers' market to pick up my CSA share from Meadow's Mirth. Had a nice talk about infused vodkas (we shared ideas) with my "bitters lady" and bought a birthday present for someone who shall remain nameless. She gave me a lovely little bouquet of bright yellow orange daisy-like flowers and purply airy sprigs. Then, on the way out I again encouraged the young musician playing low whistle (and guitar) at the top of the stairs to come to the Friday Press Room session.

Hit two yardsales on the way over to a friend's house -- one where everything was free (and I got her a pair of wine glasses and myself...um...books...) and the other (two blocks away) where everything was way overpriced.

And then had a lovely afternoon of dog cuddling and conversation and wine before heading home.

Lovely day.

Linn